Unavoidable circumstances forced us to halt overnight in the middle of nowhere. We spent the night in one of the trucks. This was the farewell picture we took with our kind drivers the next morning, after we had finally made it to Zanskar.

The meandering gravel path is how much of the 250 km, only motor-able "road" to Zanskar is.

Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India

We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.

Drang Drung glacier on Penzila enroute Zanskar, India

We saw the Drang Drung glacier after crossing the highest point at 4200 meters, of Penzi la, the only mountain pass en route Zanskar. It was an enormous glacier, melting in full flow at the peak of summer. Read more about Mountain passes we crossed in the Himalayas.

The truck driver who drove us to Zanskar, India

He was one of the drivers of the truck we traveled in, on the way to Zanskar. This was his maiden trip to this remote valley. While we covered ourselves in sweaters and caps, he refused to wear any warm wear.

The rugged browns of the Greater Himalayas give company after crossing the Penzi la. Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar. The water the glacier melt of Drang Drung glacier, the source of the Suru river.

Landscapes en route Zanskar

Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.

Landscapes en route Zanskar

Soon after Rangdum is Penzi la, the only mountain pass on the way to Zanskar.

Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her.
Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her.
Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her.
Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

Modeling was in her blood and her spontaneity and ease in front of the camera made her a pleasure to shoot. She was posing as if it was a routine for her.
Considering that she lived in the remote and isolated little hamlet of Rangdum, on the way to the Zanskar valley, her natural response to the camera was surprising and endearing. Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

Rangdum is midway on the 250km route from Kargil to Padum, headquarter of the remote Zanskar valley. A convenient halt on this long route, it is a tiny hamlet of ten houses and a couple of food stalls and guesthouses. Its geographic location makes it, essentially, the definition of "in the middle of nowhere".

Rocks inscribed with Tibetan scriptures en route Zanskar

These rocks are a common sight in Zanskar and Ladakh. They are inscribed with Buddhist prayers in a Tibetan script and found mostly around monasteries.

A tiny calf grazes in the open, something that can only be done in summer in Zanskar. Zanskar one of the remotest valleys in India. In the winter months the entire valley of Zanskar is covered in snow. Unlike in the plains, the cattle here have a thick coat of fur for some warmth.

These kids were playing near a village stupa of Rangdum when we halted for lunch. When we started to take their pictures, this guy took a break from play. Got his younger sister there. And posed for a picture with her.
Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

We wondered what their lives must be like, for these kids of Rangdum. Living in such isolation, in the middle of nowhere. From what we saw, it sure seemed like a lot of fun! Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

We wondered what their lives must be like, for these kids of Rangdum. Living in such isolation, in the middle of nowhere. From what we saw, it sure seemed like a lot of fun! Read more of the kids we met at The kids of the hills…

Rangdum is midway between Kargil and Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar valley. Travelers often halt for the night at Rangdum on their way to Zanskar. Some houses operate homestays and guest houses for these travelers.

Typical houses in higher Himalayas

This is a typical stone houses found in the Zanskar and Ladakh regions. Built with flat stones stacked on top of each other, they are then coated with a layer which is a mixture of local mud, cattle dung and other things.

Technology in the middle of nowhere at Rangdum en route Zanskar

Even the remote Rangdum midway between Zanskar and Kargil is now touched by technology.

The hamlet of Rangdum brings with it some signs of life. These are the Himalayan horses walking on the banks of the Suru river. Randum is the southernmost tip of the Suru valley, the valley that separates Kargil from Zanskar, the most remote valley in India.

Landscapes en route Zanskar

Suru Valley, Kargil, India

Landscapes en route Zanskar

Rangdum, the southernmost tip of Suru valley is a tiny hamlet of around ten houses.

Landscapes en route Zanskar

After around 50 kms of stunning landscapes, nestled in the middle of nowhere is a tiny hamlet of Rangdum.

The barren mountain faces of the Greater Himalayas in Zanskar reveal ragged patterns. Stunning landscapes like these are part of the 250 km journey from Kargil to Zanskar. It is one of the most isolated stretches of the Himalayas in India.

After Parkachik, the last village of Suru Valley civilisation comes to a sudden halt. The river Suru, tributary of Indus gives you company most of the way into Zanskar.

Parkachik glacier en route Zanskar valley

Parkachik is the last village in Suru valley. The Parkachik glacier is 1km away from the village of Parkachik. Much of the snow had melted when we saw it in the month of July, but it sill made for an interesting look especially with the mighty Himalayas surrounding it.

This picture was taken from a truck in which we travelled from Parkachik to Zanskar.

Mother daughter duo collecting firewood in the morning in the village of Parkachik in Suru valley, India

Parkachik, Kargil, India

Summer farming in Zanskar, India

Summer is the only time the people of Zanskar have access to fresh local food. Every family in this region has a small farm where they grow vegetables like peas, carrots, potatoes and a variety of greens. The family consumes what's needed . The rest is put to dry for use in the severe winter months.

The twin peaks of Nun (7135m) and Kun (7087m) are the biggest and the highest attraction in the Suru valley. The contrast of the perennially snow covered Nun and the barren Kun add to the mystic of the place. Suru valley stretches from Kargil right up to the Penzi la after which the Zanskar valley starts. It is the greenest valley of the Greater Himalayas. Every village in the Suru valley takes pride in the view it affords of the Nun and the Kun peaks.